NORTHWEST COLORADO NEWS AND SPORTS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

CRAIG SAFEWAY TO CLOSE OCTOBER 12TH

It’s official. The Craig Safeway store will close next month. Officials from the store’s headquarters have issued a statement announcing plans to close the store October 12th. The statement says the store has not met the grocer’s expectations. Spokeswoman Kris Staaf says they evaluated the store extensively for the past few years and looked at options to improve its performance. She says ultimately, their business analysis indicated that they needed to cease operations at that location. The store has a staff of 35. The pharmacy was closed over the weekend, and store hours were reduced on Tuesday.

FOREST OFFICIALS REMIND HUNTERS OF ROAD CLOSURES

With rifle deer and elk seasons opening on October 1st, hunters are advised that temporary closures are in effect on Medicine Bow National Forest Roads 553 and 588. On July 8th Forest Supervisor Phil Cruz instituted a Forest Order to temporarily close these road segments on the Laramie Ranger District. The purpose is to protect against further damage to wetland and aquatic resources caused by illegal off-road vehicle use. Until rescinded, the Order prohibits using any type of motor vehicle on or within 200 feet of the restricted roads. In addition to these closures halting damage to soil, water and vegetation resources, they will also provide Forest officials time to assess potential repair needs and future management options. Depending on the cost of repairs and ability to prevent future illegal damage, options may include permanent or seasonal closure of the roads.

EAGLE-NET TO ANSWER TO LAWMAKERS OVER FAILURE TO CONNECT SCHOOLS

An intergovernmental entity that’s failed to meet its goal of connecting most Colorado school districts to broadband will be answering questions from state lawmakers who’ve tried for months to meet with the organization. Westminster-based Eagle-Net Alliance had won a $100.6 million federal grant in 2010 to improve broadband service for schools. But with most of the money spent by May, Eagle-Net had connected less than half of the 168 school districts that it sought to link to a broadband network. Lawmakers requested a hearing with Eagle-Net several months ago and were frustrated by a long delay in scheduling it. Eagle-Net is publicly funded entity.

COLORADO OIL AND GAS ENCOURAGES MEMBER TO DONATE TO FLOOD VICTIMS

The Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA) is urging its members to donate to the American Red Cross, to aid those impacted by recent flooding across Colorado’s Front Range. The Association urged its members to give the Red Cross over $1,000,000. Noble Energy led the way with a gift of $500,000 and challenged all COGA members to match their gift to raise more than $1,000,000. Schuller sent out a fundraising solicitation to all COGA’s members, calling on them to meet Noble’s challenge. The oil and gas industry has responded generously, committing over $1,500,000 with fundraising efforts continuing. This amount does not include the charitable giving by company employees and any matching funds provided by companies.

FEMA FLOOD ASSISTANCE FUNDS REACH $25 MILLION

More than $25 million has been approved in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster grants for survivors of Colorado’s severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on September 11th. Nearly 18,000 households in Colorado have applied for assistance from FEMA in the nine counties designated for Individual Assistance under the September 14th presidential disaster declaration. More counties may be added as floodwaters recede and more damage assessments are completed by officials from the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Nine Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are now open seven days a week. More than 3,500 survivors have visited the centers where they can meet face-to-face with specialists.

STATE LAWMAKERS ENCOURAGE FEDS TO EXPEDITE FLOOD ASSISTANCE

The Colorado Congressional delegation yesterday urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expedite assistance for rebuilding efforts after the recent floods that devastated communities along Colorado’s Front Range. The lawmakers wrote to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan asking him to make disaster recovery funds available through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which would supplement assistance already provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Members of the Colorado delegation have worked since the flooding began to ensure Colorado communities and agencies have every federal resource they need to save lives, protect homes and start the recovery process.

HAYDEN HOMECOMING WEEK

This year’s theme for Hayden’s Homecoming week is “A Night of Stars”. The schedule for the week is as follows:

In high school sports:
Today:In volleyball:
Moffat County hosts Coal Ridge at 6.
Steamboat heads to Glenwood at 6:30.
Hayden welcomes North Park at 5:30.
Soroco is home against Rangely at 5.

In boys soccer:
Moffat County goes to Grand Valley at 4:30.
Steamboat hosts Rifle at 6.

Tomorrow:In football:
Little Snake River Valley is home against Saint Stephens at 3.
Hayden welcomes Rangely at 7.
Soroco goes to Vail Christian at 7.
Meeker hosts Lace County at 7.
Moffat County hosts Eagle Valley. You can catch that game live on KRAI with the pre-game at 6:45 and the kick-off at 7. You can also listen online.

In volleyball:
Little Snake River Valley hosts HEM at 7.
Meeker is home against Hotchkiss at 5.
Rangely welcomes Paonia at 5.